Texas A & M AgriLife Sheep and Goat Extension

April 2, 2025 – Today, the U.S. government announced numerous tariffs will be placed on agricultural products, including 10% on sheep and goat meat from Australia and New Zealand which combined account for 99% of imported product into America. Imported product currently holds a significant market share of the lamb consumed in the U.S., but that has not always been the case (see figure below). Important to also consider, the U.S. sheep flock now sits at just over 5 million head, significantly reduced compared to a peak of 56 million in the mid-20th century.
While Americans on average do not consume a lot of lamb compared to some other countries, given our population size and the current value of the U.S. dollar our market is still significant (and presents a major opportunity for growth in consumption). In the coming days and weeks we expect more information to be shared and we will be watching the impacts of these policies on the U.S. industry, from producer to consumer into the future.

-Texas A & M